A proposal from Gov. Jan Brewer designed to ease the burden on businesses from one of the nation's most complex sales tax collections system is set for its first hearing in an Arizona House of Representatives committee.

After winning a three-way Republican primary for two House seats in the heavily Republican Legislative District 13 on Aug. 28, the road to the Arizona House of Representatives was wide open for political newcomer Darin Mitchell.

In what may have been Arizona’s most bizarre primary race, House Speaker Andy Tobin has defeated an opponent backed by out-of-state money and friends who include Herman Cain, Joe the Plumber and the creator of the notorious Willie Horton attack ads.

Rep. John Fillmore has defended a former lawmaker who was accused of domestic violence. And he’s asked the courts to be lenient on another legislator who was convicted of defrauding a children’s charity.

But the Apache Junction Republican says his political challenger, Sen. Rich Crandall, should be subject to an ethics trial, removed from his committee chairmanship and ultimately ousted from office because Crandall threatened to kill future legislation backed by Fillmore’s House colleague.

New voter registration figures show that although both major parties continue to lose numbers to independent voters, some of the most competitive upcoming elections may favor Republican candidates more than previously thought.